National Adult Literacy Database

ANNOTATION: This report summarizes what was learned from a community outreach program held during the first six months of 2008. The African Canadian Knowledge Exchange gathered information at eight meetings held in March and April in Atlantic Canada. The goal of the meetings was to identify the learning needs of African Canadian adults; how those needs could be met; the challenges to be considered in meeting those needs; and who should be involved in the process and at what stage.

The common themes that emerged from the meetings were the need for more programming, leadership, finances and healing.

The authors recommend holding another meeting to bring together African Canadian people and organizations to discuss the challenges they face; identifying an existing organization in the African Canadian community that would be willing to take on the responsibility for advancing the learning agenda; developing a mentorship program; and establishing learning centres in each African Canadian community to improve adults' access to further learning opportunities.

The report includes a history of the African Canadian presence in Atlantic Canada and a section summarizing points raised in discussions held during the project.